Top 5 Best Ad Blockers for Firefox in 2024

Firefox has long been the go-to browser for privacy-conscious users, and it’s easy to see why. Firefox is open-source, and it’s committed to protecting user privacy. The efforts they have made over the years to maintain their transparency, security, and openness are admirable, and that’s what makes them stand out from their competitors. Even with all its strengths, Firefox cannot deal with ads on its own. Ads are disruptive; they have become significantly more intrusive than ever before, they slow down your page load times, and some ads and trackers can be a threat to your privacy. Thankfully, Firefox’s openness and wide compatibility make it an ideal platform for extensions and add-ons that deal with ads and trackers.

Now, there are definitely a lot of ad blockers to choose from, but every ad blocker offers its own mix of features. Some go hard on tracker blocking and privacy protection, while others have added security features like the ability to block phishing links. Some ad blockers are highly customisable, and some focus on wide compatibility and ease of use. And unlike Chromium browsers and Google’s restrictive Manifest V3 rules, Firefox is much more flexible with add-ons. 

In this article, we will look into our list of the top 5 best ad blockers for Firefox in 2024, and briefly discuss what makes them unique, and why we put them on our list. 

Overview of the Top Contenders

Here’s a quick look at the key details like pricing, compatibility, and other essential information of our top 5 picks.

Top Pick: uBlock Origin

Peak performance, high customizability, loaded with features, and easy to use. uBlock Origin ticks all of these boxes. It efficiently handles all kinds of ads, trackers, and pop-ups. uBlock Origin is also completely free and open-source. It utilises a community-maintained list of filters that is regularly updated. It does not participate in any “fair ads” or “acceptable ads” programme. It works perfectly on Firefox and uses very few system resources. 

uBlock Origin would be our top recommendation for most browsers. However, with Chrome shifting to a new extension platform called Manifest V3, it has become difficult for uBlock to maintain compatibility with Chromium browsers while retaining the same core functionalities. On the other hand, Firefox continues to support uBlock Origin’s full functionality. This means you can enjoy features like dynamic filtering, element blocking, and extensive filter lists without any compromise. Mozilla’s openness and commitment to user privacy align well with uBlock Origin, making the two a perfect match.

Moreover, uBlock Origin is incredibly lightweight, ensuring it doesn’t slow down your browsing experience. Its efficiency allows you to browse the web seamlessly while blocking ads, pop-ups, and trackers that can clutter your screen and invade your privacy. 

Features

• Dynamic Filtering: Offers fine-grained control over the content shown on a web page.
• Lightweight: Consumes minimal CPU and memory, maintaining smooth browser performance even with multiple tabs open.
• Customisable Filters: Users can add or modify filter lists, making them adaptable to specific needs and preferences.
• Privacy Protection: Blocks third-party trackers and malicious sites, enhancing online privacy.
• Free and Open-Source: Completely free to use with no hidden costs, backed by a transparent, community-driven project.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Highly customisable
• Lightweight and resource-efficient
• Free and open-source
• Active community of supporters and contributors

Cons

• Advanced features may be overwhelming for non-technical users
• Lacks system-wide ad-blocking
• No dedicated customer support

User-Friendly: AdBlocker Ultimate

AdBlocker Ultimate is a freemium ad-blocking extension that also offers system-wide solutions. If you’re looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense, easy-to-use ad blocker, this is the one. AdBlocker Ultimate has a user-friendly interface that allows you to set it up and forget about it. 

AdBlocker Ultimate utilises a lot of filters from uBlock Origin, and uses some UI elements from AdGuard, both of which are open–source projects. The idea here is to have an ad blocker that balances the customizability and ease of use. During our tests, it effectively blocked ads on YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and other media sites. And it actively works against trackers that collect data and helps protect your privacy online. 

While a newer addition to this scene, AdBlocker Ultimate does its job really well and is easily recommendable. It is particularly well-suited for Firefox users, as it provides effortless ad-blocking without compromising performance or requiring extensive setup.

Features

• Comprehensive Privacy Protection: Blocks trackers and malicious scripts that compromise user privacy.
• HTTPS Filtering: Scans encrypted traffic to identify and block ads without affecting secure connections.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available for browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, as well as iOS and Windows.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy to install and user-friendly
• Free and open-source
• Protects against trackers and malware
• Cross-platform support

Cons

• Limited customisation
• Lacks a dedicated macOS application
• Paid version is not worth it

Jack of All Trades: AdGuard

AdGuard provides a comprehensive ad-blocking solution that can be used both as a browser extension and an app. It is one of the most versatile ad blockers out there and one of the most recommended options for Firefox users. 

AdGuard works as both a DNS resolver and an ad blocker, which means it intercepts and blocks ads before they even reach your device. This helps speed up page loading times and reduce data usage. It can also help keep trackers out of your network, ensuring your privacy and preventing advertisers from collecting your data. AdGuard’s Stealth Mode doubles down on privacy protection and blocks online trackers, hides your search queries, and even clears cookies automatically for you. 

AdGuard’s best advantage is its flexibility. For example, as a Firefox user, you can use AdGuard as a browser extension. But you can also use the AdGuard app on your PC to block ads everywhere, including your browser. And if you want a more holistic approach, some WiFi routers allow you to add AdGuard’s DNS to your router to block ads on a network level. AdGuard basically ensures that your ad-free browsing experience is consistent everywhere.

Features

• DNS-Level Ad Blocking: Blocks ads before they reach your device, ensuring faster and cleaner browsing.
• Stealth Mode: Hides your search queries, blocks trackers, and protects your privacy.
• HTTPS Filtering: Filters ads and trackers even on secure websites without compromising encryption.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more, including browser extensions for Firefox and other browsers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• System-wide ad blocking
• Clean and intuitive interface
• The free version is feature-rich
• Regular updates

Cons

• Slow customer support
• Can be challenging to set up some advanced features

Privacy-Focused: Ghostery

Ghostery aims to provide a cleaner and faster browsing experience by prioritising user privacy. The ad blocker also includes a complete tracker control system that prevents targeted ads from following you across the web.

Ghostery’s standout feature is its advanced tracker database. This community-maintained database is regularly updated with new tracking threats. With this database, Ghostery can identify and block a large number of trackers of different types. It is all laid out in the extension settings pages and properly categorised. Ghostery also integrates features that reject cookie consent notices automatically, sparing users from repeatedly having to manage these on various sites. Additionally, Ghostery provides detailed analytics through its WhoTracks.Me feature offers you insights into the trackers it blocks and their behaviours. 

Ghostery packs a lot of punch in its user-friendly, easy-to-use interface. This privacy-focused approach of Ghostery along with its simplistic user interface should appeal to many Firefox users who want to take control of their digital footprint. 

Features

• Comprehensive Tracker Database: Uses a community-maintained database to block trackers effectively.
• Never-Consent Feature: Automatically rejects cookie consent notices, streamlining the browsing experience.
• Detailed Privacy Analytics: Provides in-depth insights on trackers via WhoTracks.Me.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong focus on privacy
• Free to use
• User-friendly interface
• Open-source and community-supported

Cons

• Lacks system-wide ad-blocking
• Limited customer support, prioritises paying customers
• Mixed results in third-party tests

Best System-wide Solution: AdLock

AdLock brings a solid mix of ad-blocking and privacy features. It is designed to give you a clean and interruption-free web browsing experience. And while it may lack some of the extensive customisations of some other ad blockers, AdLock performs reliably on Firefox, blocking a wide variety of ads, including ads on YouTube. What makes AdLock stand out is its emphasis on user privacy, thanks to anti-tracking tools and Safe Browsing integration to keep you away from risky sites.

For Firefox users, AdLock’s extension is easy to install and requires minimal setup. Just enable it, and it’ll start blocking ads right away. Although AdLock’s Chrome extension has faced issues due to Manifest V3, its Firefox compatibility remains solid, allowing it to perform without a hitch. Moreover, AdLock also offers system-wide protection for Windows and macOS users. So if you install the app, you can block ads on almost all browsers and even some apps without having to think much about installing extensions for each browser. AdLock is very simple yet effective. It performed admirably at all the tests we threw at it and it’s a great choice for users who want a straightforward, hassle-free ad-blocking solution that works well with Firefox.

Features

• Privacy Protection: Uses anti-tracking filters to block trackers and prevent unwanted data collection.
• Safe Browsing Integration: Leverages Google Safe Browsing to alert you of phishing sites and other online threats.
• One-Click Use: Simple to enable and runs smoothly without extensive customization.
• System-wide Protection: The Windows and macOS apps can block ads on almost all browsers and some apps without requiring any extensions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Straightforward setup and user-friendly interface
• Privacy-focused with Safe Browsing and anti-tracking features
• Compatible with multiple browsers

Cons

• Limited customisation options
• Closed-source
• Lacks system-wide blocking

Honourable Mention: Privacy Badger

While not an Ad Blocker, Privacy Badger is designed to put an end to sneaky tracking from advertisers and third parties as you browse. If an advertiser is tracking you across multiple sites without your consent, Privacy Badger steps in and blocks them from loading any more content. We recommend using Privacy Badger with a dedicated ad blocker for the best results.

Privacy Badger is a browser extension by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to protecting user privacy and free speech online. 

What is Enhanced Tracking Protection on Firefox and How Does It Work?

Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) in Firefox is Mozilla’s powerful tool that safeguards your privacy and security online. It is a built-in feature in Firefox desktop that is designed to block various types of trackers and unwanted scripts that follow you across websites and profile your activity without your consent. With ETP active, Firefox automatically shields you from common trackers, hidden cookies, and even harmful scripts, all without interrupting your browsing experience. The feature provides a streamlined approach to blocking, making Firefox an attractive option for users who value privacy without having to rely on third-party tools.

ETP is basically a curated list of known trackers provided by Disconnect, a service that maintains databases of advertising and tracking domains. By using this list, ETP can identify and block a wide range of trackers, from social media cookies that follow you across the web to cross-site trackers embedded within ads and media.

One of ETP’s standout features is Total Cookie Protection, which keeps cookies confined to the website that set them. This prevents cookies from being shared across sites, effectively stopping companies from building an extensive profile on you based on your browsing behaviour. For example, if you visit a shopping site, that site’s cookies cannot track you when you move to a news website.

Enhanced Tracking Protection is Firefox’s way of making sure that your online activities remain private without requiring you to go through too many complicated settings or third-party tools.

Wrapping Up

Firefox users are already a step ahead of everyone else in ad blocking because of its robust privacy features, which prevent trackers, create containers for social media and shopping sites, and try to make your overall web browsing experience safer and protected. Adding a good ad blocker like uBlock Origin or AdGuard to the mix can offer even better protection and get rid of some intrusion and annoyances in the process. We’ve tried to lay out all the unique features, pros and cons for you. Now you can make an educated decision about which one you want to pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Using an Ad Blocker Slow Down Firefox?

No, using an ad blocker doesn’t slow down Firefox. In fact, it can actually improve page load times. By blocking resource-heavy ads, trackers, and pop-ups, ad blockers can reduce the amount of data Firefox needs to load, leading to faster browsing. Moreover, you can pick an ad blocker like uBlock Origin, which is known for being one of the most lightweight ad blockers available. 

Does Firefox Come with a Built-in Ad Blocker?

No, Firefox doesn’t come with a built-in ad blocker, but it does include Enhanced Tracking Protection. It safeguards your privacy by blocking trackers and third-party cookies, which are often used by advertisers to follow you across websites. For full ad blocking, you can easily add a third-party ad blocker extension.

Related Guides:

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Best Adblockers for Edge

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